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Variables in Scientific Experiments

Total questions: 26

Worksheet time: 2hrs 46mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

In an experiment, the constant, or control, is...

a)

Something that changes.

b)

What you are measuring.

c)

Something that does not change.

d)

Your conclusion.

2.

In your experiment, the factor you measure is called...

a)

independent variable

b)

dependent variable

c)

control

d)

rule

3.

In an experiment, the factor that is changed is called...

a)

independent variable

b)

dependent variable

c)

control

d)

spam

4.

In this same experiment by Steve to find out which type of fertilizer would make his sunflowers grow more, what would be the dependent variable?

a)

Type of fertilizer

b)

Size of the sunflower

c)

Type of sunflower

5.

An experiment is conducted on plants to see how different liquids affect plant growth. Each plant in the experiment is given a different liquid: water, apple juice, and Gatorade. Each plant has the same amount of sunlight, soil, and listens to the same music. What is the independent variable?

a)

the type of plant

b)

the type of liquid

c)

the type of music

d)

the amount of liquid

6.

True or False: An experiment can have more than one control.

a)

True

b)

False

7.

Squidward found new reeds to try on his clarinet. He used an APPLAUSE METER to measure the applause after playing Under the Sea with each reed. The results were put in the table.
What was the independent variable?

a)

The Song

b)

The Reed

c)

The Applause

8.

Scientific questions have to be...

a)

Measurable

b)

Easy

c)

Interesting

9.

Choose the best-written hypothesis that answers the question:
Question: Why is my room hotter during the day than at night?

a)

The sunlight is making my room hotter.

b)

Mr. Rivas has the heating on in the morning.

c)

If I close my blinds during the day, then my room will be cooler because the sunlight cannot enter.

d)

Sunlight actually cools a room.

10.

The variable in an investigation that you are measuring is the _________________?

a)

control variable

b)

independent variable

c)

dependent variable

d)

research variable

11.

Angelina set up an experiment to see how the mass of a ball affects the distance it rolls from a ramp. Identify the independent variable.

a)

Distance traveled by the ball

b)

Height of the ramp

c)

Mass of the ball

d)

Who set up the experiment (Mrs. S, etc)

12.

Marcos wants to know: Does the type of gasoline put in a car affect the speed at which the car can drive? What is the independent variable?

a)

Type of gasoline

b)

Which car the gasoline is put into

c)

How fast the car can drive

d)

How much gasoline is put into the car

13.

Ramone wants to know: Does the distance a person kicks a soccer ball affect how well they do on their math exam? What is the dependent variable?

a)

How far they kick the soccer ball

b)

Who the person is

c)

How well they do on the math exam

d)

Type of soccer ball

14.

What is a control group?

a)

The variable that is changed/manipulated in the experiment

b)

The variable that is observed/measured in the experiment

c)

Elements that are kept constant/unchanged in the experiment

d)

The group that does not receive the manipulation; used for comparison

e)

The groups that do receive the manipulation

15.

Scientific Question:  Does the type of shoe you wear affect the speed at which you can run?
What is the independent variable?

a)

type of shoe

b)

how fast you run

c)

person

16.

Scientific question:  Does the type of shoe you wear affect the speed at which you can run?
What is the dependent variable?

a)

type of shoe

b)

how fast you run

c)

person

17.

Why is it important to have only one independent variable and control the other variables when conducting scientific experiments?

a)

To be able to determine which factor is causing the change in the experiment.

b)

It doesn't matter, you can have as many independent variables as you want.

18.

Mrs. Ahlers organized an experiment to see how the mass of a ball affects the distance it rolls from a ramp. What is the dependent variable?

a)

Distance traveled by the ball

b)

Height of the ramp

c)

Mass of the ball

d)

Where the experiment was conducted.

19.

Another definition of hypothesis is

a)

independent variable

b)

dependent variable

c)

an educated guess

d)

control variable

20.

Question #7: One plant receives sunlight for 12 hours a day. Another plant does not receive sunlight. After 3 weeks, we compare how green each plant looks. What is the independent variable?

a)

Amount of sunlight

b)

How green the plant is

c)

Type of soil

21.

Question #7: One plant receives sunlight for 12 hours a day. Another plant does not receive sunlight. After 3 weeks, we compare how green each plant looks. What is the dependent variable?

a)

Amount of sunlight

b)

Type of soil

c)

How green each plant is

22.

Which of the following hypotheses is written correctly?

a)

If I freeze a tennis ball, then it will not bounce as high.

b)

If a tennis ball is frozen, it will not bounce as high as one that is not.

c)

Frozen tennis balls will not bounce as high.

d)

If I heat a tennis ball, it will bounce high.

23.

A student was conducting an experiment using the scientific method. Every three days the student plans to count the green leaves. What would be a good hypothesis for this experiment?

a)

If the plants are placed in direct sunlight, then they will grow more green leaves.

b)

If the plants are placed in bright light, then they will grow more green leaves than in dim light.

c)

If the plants are placed in clay pots, then they will grow more green leaves than in plastic pots.

d)

If the plants are in warmer temperatures, then they will grow more green leaves.

24.

According to the diagram, what question is being tested?

a)

How does the color of light affect plant growth?

b)

How does the amount of fertilizer added to plants affect growth?

c)

How will different amounts of water affect plant growth?

d)

How does the type of soil affect plant growth?

25.

Mr. S. organizes an experiment to see how the mass of a ball affects the distance it rolls from a ramp. Identify the constant.

a)

distance traveled by the ball

b)

height of the ramp

c)

mass of the ball

d)

weight of the ball

26.

Which of the following is a control/constant variable in this experiment?

a)

The color of the light

b)

The type of plant